Method and system for receiving a software image from a customer for installation into a computer system

ABSTRACT

A computer system is manufactured by providing a communications network between a customer and a manufacturer, configuring a first computer system to communicate with a second computer system and including a first program and a second program in the second computer system. The customer accesses the first program providing a software image to the manufacturer using the second program. The first program provides the customer with an option to upload the software image. The first program obtains customer information, and using the option, the customer requests the manufacturer to upload the software image in an ordered computer system. In response, the second program is downloaded to cause a boot disk to be created. The second program includes a boot code and a third program. The boot code and the third program are stored on the boot disk, the boot code being configured to initiate the third program. The second program is removed from the first computer system.

BACKGROUND

The disclosures herein relate generally to computer systems and moreparticularly to a method and system for receiving a software image froma customer for installation into a computer system.

Customers of computer manufacturers often want software and other dataon a computer system to be fully configured when they receive the systemfrom the manufacturer. In particular, customers often want the softwareand data on their computer systems to be customized to the customerspreferred configuration. The process of configuring software and data ofa computer system may be time consuming and require significant work onthe part of the customer, the manufacturer, or both. Significantresources may be spent to obtain the preferred configuration and toinstall it onto one or more computer systems built by the manufacturer.

It would be desirable for a computer manufacturer to be able toefficiently receive a software image from a customer. Accordingly, whatis needed is a method and system for receiving a software image from acustomer for installation into a computer system.

SUMMARY

One embodiment, accordingly, provides a method of manufacturing acomputer system. The method includes receiving an order and a softwareimage via a communications network, building the computer systemaccording to the order, and installing the software image on thecomputer system.

A principal advantage of this embodiment is that it allows a computermanufacturer to install a software image onto a computer system. Acustomer may configure software and data to a desired state to create adesired software image. The computer manufacturer obtains the softwareimage from the customer and installs the image onto a computer systemordered by the customer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a first portion of asystem for configuring a software image for installation into a computersystem.

FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating an embodiment of a second portionof a system for configuring a software image for installation into acomputer system.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forconfiguring a software image for installation into a computer system.

FIG. 4 a is a first diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forreceiving a software image for installation into a computer system.

FIG. 4 b is a second diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forreceiving a software image for installation into a computer system.

FIG. 4 c is a third diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forreceiving a software image for installation into a computer system.

FIG. 4 d is a fourth diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forreceiving a software image for installation into a computer system.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forreceiving a software image for installation into a computer system.

FIG. 6 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for providing acopy of a software image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for providingdata for installation onto a computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a first portion of asystem for creating a software image for installation into a computersystem. In FIG. 1, computer system 100 is configured to communicate witha computer system 110 and a computer system 120 using a communicationsnetwork 130. Communications network 130 may be any suitablecommunications medium such as the Internet, an intranet, apoint-to-point connection, or a wireless connection. Customer 10operates computer system 100 as indicated by arrow 12.

As shown in box 100 a, computer system 100 includes communicationssoftware 102. Communications software 102 allows customer 10 tocommunicate with computer system 110 and computer system 120.Communications software 102 may be a remote control tool such asMicrosoft Terminal Services, LapLink, or PCAnywhere and may include asecure connection such as Virtual Private Networking. Communicationssoftware 102 may also be an internet browser such as Internet Exploreror Netscape Navigator. Computer system 100 may be any type of computersystem that includes processing and storage capabilities. Examples ofcomputer systems include desktop, laptop, server, portable, and handheldcomputer systems.

Computer systems 110 and 120 are configured to provide customer 10 withthe ability to configure a software image for installation on one ormore computer systems ordered from a computer manufacturer. Computersystems 110 and 120 simulate the operation of a computer system order bycustomer 10. As described in additional detail below, computer system110 includes substantially identical components to the computer systemordered by customer 10. In contrast, computer system 120 includes avirtual machine program 122 configured to cause computer system 120 tosimulate the operation of the computer system ordered by customer 10.Using computer system 100 and communications software 102, customer 10accesses computer systems 110 or 120 to configure a software image thatwill be installed on one or more computer systems ordered by thecustomer. The operation of computer systems 110 and 120 will now bedescribed separately.

In response to receiving an order from customer 10, a computermanufacturer may provide customer 10 with access to computer system 110.Computer system 110 is substantially identical to a computer systemordered by customer 10, i.e. computer system 110 includes the same orsimilar hardware and software components as the computer system orderedby customer 10.

As shown in a box 110 a, computer system 110 includes a processor 112, achipset 114, a plurality of devices 116 a, 116 b, and 116 c, and amemory 118. Memory 118 includes a software image 119. Image 119 includesthe software and data installed onto computer system 110. Processor 112,chipset 114, devices 116 a, 116 b, and 116 c, and memory 118 are eachcomponents of computer system 110 and correspond to a hardwareconfiguration selected by customer 10. Customer 10 may select each ofthe components individually or as part of a package or preexistingconfiguration of components offered by a computer manufacturer.

Customer 10 may also select the software and data components of softwareimage 119. These components may include an operating system, hardwaredrivers, applications, and other data offered by the computermanufacturer. As with the hardware components, customer 10 may selecteach of the software and data components individually or as part of apackage or preexisting configuration of components offered by themanufacturer.

The components shown in the embodiment of computer system 110 in FIG. 1are shown by way of example. Other embodiments of computer systems maycomprise other sets of components including components not shown in FIG.1.

By providing customer 10 with access to computer system 110, customer 10may configure the software and data on computer system 110 in a way thatallows the computer manufacturer to replicate a preferred configurationof customer 10 onto one or more computer systems ordered by customer 10.In response to receiving an order from customer 10, the computermanufacturer may either build computer system 110 in accordance with theorder or provide a previously built computer system 110 that meets theorder. The process of building or providing computer system 110 mayinclude installing or configuring hardware and software componentsaccording to the order.

After computer system 110 is ready, the computer manufacturer providescustomer 10 with the ability to connect to computer system 110 from aremote location. In FIG. 1, customer 10 connects to computer system 110using computer system 100 and communications network 130. The computermanufacturer may have customer 10 log in or select an indicator on awebsite to allow customer 10 to connect to computer system 110. Aftercustomer 10 is connected, customer 10 is provided with the ability tooperate computer system 110 remotely. Customer 10 may configure computersystem 110 in any manner desired. For example, customer 10 may change aconfiguration of an operating system, one or more applications, a filestructure, a file system, a boot sequence, or one or more hardwaredrivers. Customer 10 may also create or store data on computer system110 using an application on computer system 110 or by uploading the datafrom computer system 100.

Each change that customer 10 makes to the configuration of computersystem 110 may be stored on computer system 110. In one embodiment,customer 10 is provided with a prompt to cause customer 10 to selectwhether customer 10 wishes the changes made by customer 10 to be saved.The prompt may occur automatically or in response to customer 10selecting an indicator associated with a save function. Customer 10 mayalso be provided with an option to cancel any modifications to restorethe configuration of computer system 110 to the original state. In otherembodiments, changes made by customer 10 may be automatically saved.

After customer 10 finishes configuring the software and data in image119, customer 10 provides an indication to the computer manufacturerthat image 119 is complete. If image 119 is not complete, the state ofimage 119 may be saved by the computer manufacturer for a subsequentaccess or accesses by customer 10.

In one embodiment, customer 10 is prompted to indicate whether image 119is complete in response to selecting whether to save modifications toimage 119. In another embodiment, customer 10 selects an indicator thatcauses the computer manufacturer to be notified that image 119 iscomplete. In other embodiments, customer 10 may provide an indication tothe computer manufacturer in other ways such as by sending an email ormaking a telephone call to the computer manufacturer.

As an alternative to providing customer 10 with access to an actualcomputer system substantially similar to the computer system ordered bycustomer 10, a computer manufacturer may provide customer 10 with accessto a computer system that is configured to simulate the operation of thecomputer system ordered by customer 10. In FIG. 1, computer system 120is configured to simulate the operation of the computer system orderedby customer 10.

As shown in a box 120 a, computer system 120 includes a software image124 and virtual machine 122. Image 124 includes the software and data tobe installed onto one or more computer systems ordered by customer 10.Virtual machine 122 is a computer program configured to execute oncomputer system 120. Virtual machine 122 is configured to cause computersystem 120 to simulate the operation the computer system ordered bycustomer 10. In response to receiving an order from customer 10, thecomputer manufacturer may build the computer system ordered by customer10 using virtual machine 122 to create a virtual computer system. Thecomputer manufacturer then provides customer 10 with access to thevirtual computer system.

To simulate the operation of the computer system ordered by customer 10,virtual machine 122 is provided with information associated with thesoftware and hardware components of the ordered system. Virtual machine122 may detect this information from order information stored in adatabase or may be configured with this information by the computermanufacturer.

In particular, virtual machine 122 causes computer system 120 tosimulate the appearance and operation of the software and data stored inimage 124. Customer 10 accesses this simulation using computer system100 and communications software 102 and may make modifications to thesoftware and data stored in image 124 in a way similar to that discussedabove for making modifications to the software and data in image 119 oncomputer system 110.

As with computer system 110 discussed above, each modification thatcustomer 10 makes to the configuration of image 124 may be stored oncomputer system 120. In one embodiment, customer 10 is provided with aprompt to cause customer 10 to select whether customer 10 wishes themodifications made by customer 10 to be saved. The prompt may occurautomatically or in response to customer 10 selecting an indicatorassociated with a save function. Customer 10 may also be provided withan option to cancel any modifications to restore the configuration ofimage 124 to the original state. In other embodiments, modificationsmade by customer 10 may be automatically saved.

After customer 10 finishes configuring the software and data in image124, customer 10 provides an indication to the computer manufacturerthat image 124 is complete. If image 124 is not complete, the state ofimage 124 may be saved by the computer manufacturer for a subsequentaccess or accesses by customer 10.

In one embodiment, customer 10 is prompted to indicate whether the imageis complete in response to selecting whether to save modifications tothe image. In another embodiment, customer 10 selects an indicator thatcauses the computer manufacturer to be notified that image 119 iscomplete. In other embodiments, customer 10 may provide an indication tothe computer manufacturer in other ways such as by sending an email ormaking a telephone call to the computer manufacturer.

FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating an embodiment of a second portionof a system for configuring a software image for installation into acomputer system. In FIG. 2, a computer system 200 is configured tocommunicate with computer systems 110 and 120 from FIG. 1 as indicatedby connection indicators 210 and 212, respectively. As shown by a box200 a, computer system 200 includes a base image 202, a program 204, anda delta file 206.

After customer 10 finishes modifying an image, computer system 200accesses that image and provides the image to a manufacturing processfor installation onto one or more computer systems ordered by customer10. Where customer 10 accessed and modified image 119 on computer system110, computer system 200 accesses image 119 on computer system 120 andprovides image 119 to the manufacturing process. Similarly, wherecustomer 10 accessed and modified image 124 on computer system 120,computer system 200 accesses image 124 on computer system 120 andprovides image 124 to the manufacturing process.

Program 204 causes computer system 200 to access image 119 or 124 andprovide the image to the manufacturing process. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 2, program 204 causes the image to be compared with base image202. Base image 202 corresponds to the original state of the image. Bycomparing the image 119 or 124 to base image 202, program 204 causescomputer system 200 to detect the differences between this preferredimage of customer 10 and base image 202 and store these differences indelta file 206. Accordingly, computer system 200 may provide thepreferred image of customer 10 to the manufacturing process by providingdelta file 206 and base image 202 instead of providing the entire image.Delta file 206 and base image 202 may be used in the manufacturingprocess to recreate the preferred image of customer 10. In otherembodiments, image 119 or image 124 may be provided to the manufacturingprocess in other ways.

In the manufacturing process, image 119 or image 124 or a recreation ofone of these images may be installed onto one or more computer systemsordered by customer 10.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forconfiguring a software image for installation into a computer system. Acustomer is provided with access to a software image associated with acomputer system as indicated in step 302. A determination is made as towhether changes to the image have been made as indicated in step 304. Ifno changes have been made, the method continues at step 308. If changeshave been made, then the changes are saved as indicated in step 306.

A determination is made as to whether the image is the final version ofthe image as indicated in step 308. If the image is not the finalversion, the image is stored for later access by the customer. If theimage is the final version, then the final image is provided to themanufacturing process as indicated in step 312. The final image isinstalled onto one or more computer systems as indicated in step 314.

FIGS. 4 a through 4 d are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of asystem for receiving a software image for installation into a computersystem. In FIGS. 4 a through 4 d, computer system 100 is configured tocommunicate with a server 400 using communications network 130. Network130 may be any suitable communications medium such as the internet, anintranet, a point-to-point connection, or a wireless connection.Customer 10 operates computer system 100 as indicated by arrow 12.

As shown in box 100 a in FIG. 4 a, computer system 100 includescommunications software 102. Communications software 102 allows customer10 to communicate with server 400. Computer system 100 may be any typeof computer system that includes processing and storage capabilities.Examples of computer systems include desktop, laptop, server, portable,and handheld computer systems.

As shown in a box 400 a in FIG. 4 a, server 400 includes a program 402and a virtual engineer program 404. Program 402 allows customer 10 toprovide a computer manufacturer with a software image for installationinto one or more computer systems using virtual engineer 404.

Customer 10 accesses program 402 using communications software 102 andcommunications network 130. Program 402 provides customer 10 with theability to provide a software image to a computer manufacturer usingvirtual engineer 404. To provide a computer manufacturer with a softwareimage to be installed onto a computer system, customer 10 configuressoftware that may include an operating system, one or more applications,and data on computer system 100 to a desired state. This desired stateforms a software image 152 (shown in FIG. 4 c) that will be provided tothe computer manufacturer.

After customer 10 performs this configuration, customer 10 logs ontoserver 400 using program 402. Program 402 may obtain customerinformation from customer 10 or may access previously stored customerinformation associated with customer 10. Program 402 may also obtainorder information from customer 10 or may access previously stored orderinformation associated with an order from customer 10 for one or morecomputer systems.

Program 402 provides customer 10 with the option to upload image 152.Using this option, customer 10 may provide a request to a computermanufacturer to upload image 152 for installation into a computer systemordered by customer 10. In one particular embodiment, customer 10provides a request to upload image 152 by selecting an appropriateindicator on a website provided by the computer manufacturer using theinternet. In response to the option being selected by customer 10,program 402 causes virtual engineer 404 to be downloaded to computersystem 100 as shown in FIG. 4 b. In other embodiments, virtual engineer404 may be executed from a computer system remotely located fromcomputer system 100.

In response to being downloaded onto computer system 100, virtualengineer 404 causes a boot disk 406 to be created as indicated by anarrow 408. Boot disk 406 may be a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or other typeof storage medium. Virtual engineer 404 includes a boot code (not shown)and a program 410. Virtual engineer 404 causes the boot code and program410 to be stored onto boot disk 406 as indicated by a box 406 a. Theboot code includes instructions configured to boot computer system 100independently of any boot code and/or operating system software storedon computer system 100. The boot code is configured to initiate program410. In one embodiment, the boot code includes DOS drivers. In otherembodiments, the boot code may include other type of drivers orprograms.

Subsequent to creating boot disk 406, virtual engineer 404 is removedfrom computer system 100. In one embodiment, virtual engineer 404 causesa shortcut or link to a URL (uniform resource locator) to be stored ontocomputer system 100. The shortcut may cause program 402 on server 400 tobe initiated. In an embodiment of computer system 100 configured tooperate using a Windows operating system such as Windows 95, Windows 98,Windows NT, or Windows 2000, the shortcut may be stored as part of astartup folder, a registry run key or a registry run once key. Inresponse to computer system rebooting using the boot code on boot disk406, computer system 100 connects to server 400 according to theshortcut and causes program 402 to be initiated. In this embodiment,program 402 causes virtual engineer 404 to be removed from computersystem 100.

Referring now to FIG. 4 c, program 410 includes instructions configuredto cause image 152 to be uploaded to server 400. Image 152 is stored incomputer system 100 on a storage device 150. Storage device 150 may be ahard disk drive or other memory configured to store software and/ordata. Program 410 causes a new partition 154 to be created on storagedevice 150. Partition 154 includes memory space on storage device 150that is not otherwise in use by computer system 100, i.e. free space.Program 410 then causes image 152 to be copied into the memory spaceincluded within partition 154 as indicated in FIG. 4 c. In oneembodiment, program 410 includes a version of PowerQuest PartitionMagic, a version of PowerQuest Drive Image, and one or more scripts. Inthis embodiment, PowerQuest Partition Magic may be used to createpartition 154 and PowerQuest Drive Image may be used to copy image 152into partition 154. In other embodiments, other programs may be includedin program 410 to perform the tasks of partitioning and copying.

Referring now to FIG. 4 d, computer system 100 is rebooted back to theoperating system stored on computer system 100 after image 152 has beencopied into partition 154. To prevent computer system 100 from bootingusing boot disk 406, the master boot record of the device used to bootcomputer system 100 with boot disk 406 may be disabled or customer 10may remove boot disk 406 from the device. Computer system 100 thenconnects to server 400 according to a shortcut stored by virtualengineer 404 and causes program 402 to be initiated. Program 402 locatesimage 152 in partition 154 and causes image 152 to be uploaded ontoserver 400. Program 402 causes image 152 to be stored onto server 400along with an identifier (ID) 412. ID 412 is an address that associatesimage 152 with customer 10 or an order associated with customer 10 andindicates where image 152 is located on server 400. ID 412 may be storedas part of the order information received from customer 10.

After image 152 is received by the computer manufacturer, image 152 isinstalled onto one or more computer systems ordered by customer 10. Thecomputer systems may be built by the computer manufacturer according toan order from customer 10 and may include one or more componentsspecified in the order. The computer systems may be build-to-ordercomputer systems.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forreceiving a software image for installation into a computer system. Acustomer installs and configures software and data on a system to adesired state as indicated in step 502. The software may include anoperating system, one or more applications, and data. The customer loadsvirtual engineer software onto the system as indicated in step 504. Thevirtual engineer software may be downloaded from a computer system of acomputer manufacturer in response to providing a request to the computersystem.

The virtual engineer causes a boot disk to be created as indicated instep 506. The system reboots using the boot disk as indicated in step508. The virtual engineer is removed from the system as indicated instep 510. A program from the boot disk causes a partition to be createdon a storage device of the system as indicated in step 512. The programcauses an image of the system to be copied into the partition asindicated in step 514. The system reboots back to the original operatingsystem as indicated in step 516. The system transmits the image to amanufacturer system as indicated in step 518. The manufacturer installsthe image onto one or more computer systems as indicated in step 520.

FIG. 6 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for providing acopy of a software image. In FIG. 6, computer system 100 is configuredto communicate with a server 600 using communications network 130.Network 130 may be any suitable communications medium such as theinternet, an intranet, a point-to-point connection, or a wirelessconnection. Customer 10 operates computer system 100 as indicated byarrow 12.

As shown in box 100 a, computer system 100 includes communicationssoftware 102. Communications software 102 allows customer 10 tocommunicate with server 600. Computer system 100 may be any type ofcomputer system that includes processing and storage capabilities.Examples of computer systems include desktop, laptop, server, portable,and handheld computer systems.

As shown in a box 600 a, server 600 includes a program 602. Program 602allows customer 10 to retrieve a software image 606 from server 600using computer system 100 and communications software 102.

Image 606 includes a copy of the software and data stored on one or morecomputer systems owned or used by customer 10. Image 606 may have beenthe image installed by a manufacturer onto one or more computer systemspreviously ordered by customer 10 and is stored on server 600 withidentifier 604. At some point, one or more of the computer systems mayexperience either a hardware or software failure. The failure may renderthe computer system inoperable such that a new copy of image 606 isneeded for the failing system.

Program 602 allows customer 10 to identify and retrieve image 606 usinga variety of delivery methods. Program 602 allows customer 10 to log into server 600 using communications software 102. Program 602 may do sousing a secure transmission method whereby only authorized individualsare allowed to access image 606. After customer 10 logs in, program 602provides customer 10 with the ability to select an image for delivery aswell as the method for the delivery. The choices of images for customer10 to select correspond to one or more images previously installed ontoone or more of customer 10's computer systems by a manufacturer. Theseimages may have been previously assigned names or other customer-definedterminology to allow customer 10 to rapidly identify the image customer10 needs for the failing computer system.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, customer 10 selects image 606 forretrieval. After customer 10 makes this selection, program 602 causescustomer 10 to select the method for retrieving image 606. As shown inFIG. 6, image 606 may be downloaded from server 600 onto computer system100 using communications network 130, copied from server 600 or anotherserver to a CD-ROM 610 and provided to customer 10 as indicated by anarrow 612 and an arrow 614, or copied from server 600 or another serveronto a media device 620 and provided to customer 10 as indicated by anarrow 622 and arrow 614.

The method selected by customer 10 may depend on the type of failure onthe failing computer system. For example, if a media device such as ahard disk drive causes the failure in the computer system, then customer10 may select to have image 606 copied onto the same or similar type ofmedia device and shipped to customer 10 as indicated by arrows 622 and614. Alternatively, customer 10 may select to have image 606 downloadedonto computer system 100 to allow customer 10 to store image 606 onto areplacement media device (not shown in FIG. 6). Customer 10 may theninstall the replacement media device into the failed computer system.

As another example, the failure may be such that it is preferable forcustomer 10 to recover the failing system using an image stored onCD-ROM. Accordingly, customer 10 may select to have image 606 copiedonto CD-ROM 610 by the manufacturer or at another remote location andshipped to customer 10 as indicated by arrows 612 and 614.Alternatively, customer 10 may select to have image 606 downloaded ontocomputer system 100 and burned onto a CD-ROM (not shown in FIG. 6).

Where customer 10 selects the use of a CD-ROM, one or more of severalsecurity measures may be employed to prevent customer 10 from installingimage 606 on unauthorized computer systems. First, program 602 mayrequire customer 10 to contractually agree not to install image 606 onunauthorized computer systems in exchange for providing image 606. Next,program 602 may cause a service tag to be burned onto the CD-ROM toallow image 606 to be copied only onto a particular system. Further, asingle-use license may be created on image 606 to allow it to only beused once with the sole intention of correcting the system failure.Still further, a table of contents file on the CD-ROM may be deleted.After image 606 is restored onto the failed computer system, the CD-ROMsession could be re-opened and then closed thus inhibiting the CD-ROMfrom further use.

As a further example, customer 10 may experience software corruption oncomputer system 100 that does not prohibit the use of the computersystem 100. In this case, customer 10 may opt to connect to server 600using communications software 102 and may use program 602 to restore theimage on computer system 100.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for providingdata for installation into a computer system. In FIG. 7, computer system100 is configured to communicate with a server 700 using communicationsnetwork 130. Customer 10 operates computer system 100 as indicated byarrow 12.

As shown in box 100 a, computer system 100 includes communicationssoftware 102 and data 160. Communications software 102 allows customer10 to communicate with server 700. As shown in a box 700 a, server 700includes an order program 702. Order program 702 allows customer 10 toplace an order for a computer system using computer system 100 andcommunications software 102. The computer system ordered by customer 10may be a build-to-order computer system where customer 10 specifies oneor more hardware or software components to be installed in the computersystem. Accordingly, order program 702 may allow customer 10 to specifyhardware and software components of one or more build-to-order computersystems. The software and hardware components may be the same ordifferent on the build-to-order computer systems included in an order.

Customer 10 may wish to have data 160 installed on one or more of thecomputer systems in an order. Data 160 may be any type of files or otherdata that customer 10 wishes to have installed. In particular, data 160may include ASCII text, one or more Lotus Notes IDs, one or more Outlookmailboxes, binary files, or other secret or proprietary documents. Toallow data 160 to be installed on a computer system or systems of anorder, order program 702 allows customer 10 to identify data 160 andcauses data 160 to be received by and stored on server 700. As shown inbox 700 a, order program 702 causes data 160 to be stored onto server700 along with an identifier 704. Identifier 704 specifies the locationof data 160 on server 700 and may be stored as part of an ordergenerated and stored by order program 702.

To store data 160 on server 700, a tool such as PkZip, WinZip, or RPMmay be used to package data 160 and include a path structure to ensurethat data 160 is properly installed onto one or more computer systemsduring the manufacturing process. Order program 702 may also promptcustomer 10 to enter the desired location for data 160 on the orderedcomputer systems.

The order placed by customer 10 may be submitted to server 700 usingSSL/PCT, IP security, or other secure transmission type. Data 160 may besubmitted to server 700 using a secure transmission type such as PPTP.Server 700 may use MMPE (RSA RC4), DES, or any other government-approvedencryption method.

During the manufacturing process, the existence of data 160 will bedetected from the order from customer 10. Data 160 will be located usingidentifier 704 and stored onto the one or more computer systemsspecified by the order. Data 160 may be unpackaged directly from server700 or another server to the ordered system or systems, copied fromserver 700 or another server to the ordered system or systems, or movedfrom server 700 or another server to the ordered system or systems andunpackaged if required.

As can be seen, the principal advantages of these embodiments are thatthey allow a computer manufacturer to install a software image onto acomputer system. A customer may configure software and data to a desiredstate to create a desired software image. The computer manufacturerobtains the software image from the customer and installs the image ontoa computer system ordered by the customer.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

1. A method of manufacturing a computer system comprising: providing acommunications network between a customer and a manufacturer;configuring a first computer system to communicate with a secondcomputer system; including a first program and a second program in thesecond computer system; the customer accessing the first programproviding a software image to the manufacturer using the second program;the first program providing the customer with an option to upload thesoftware image; the first program containing customer information; usingthe option, the customer requesting the manufacturer to upload thesoftware image in an ordered computer system, and in response, thesecond program is downloaded to cause a boot disk to be created; thesecond program including a boot code and a third program; storing theboot code and the third program on the boot disk, the boot code beingconfigured to initiate the third program; and removing the secondprogram from the first computer system.
 2. The method as defined inclaim 1, further comprising: comparing the ordered computer system to abase image to determine differences.
 3. The method as defined in claim2, further comprising: storing the differences between the orderedcomputer system and the base image in a delta file.
 4. The method asdefined in claim 3, further comprising: manufacturing the orderedcomputer system by using the base image and the delta file.
 5. Themethod as defined in claim 1, further comprising: recieving a customerorder from a customer computer system via the Internet.
 6. The method asdefined in claim 5, further comprising: storing a link onto the customercomputer system.
 7. The method as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising: storing an address that associates the software image withthe customer information.
 8. The method as defined in claim 7, furthercomprising: installing the software image on the first computer system.